Highest Hopes

I've long been triggered by this walk instigated by these poor laborers. On my first glimpse of the news, i heard they were still going for a sail to manila. ( oh, but before that still, i saw them on t.v already walking past a town, which i know is farther than where they're from, bringing banners which now i thought have worn out even before they've reached malacañang.) On which i wondered where the money for the fare could be from. It actually made me think at first they were---sorry for saying---silly for wasting their money for the ship fare when they could just use it to do a call or for some other things more important. (I actually attempted to make a research, know about where the "fare pennies" were from---or was the ride given for free--- but got hooked up with some other things anew so, never mind.) but later i understood. THIS was "more important". This is what that trip was for. The fight for their land. Something which was greater than anything. The land held their life, made them live, bore their happiness, grew their solace, and gave them relief. It was their family's "ace on a hole", as Cassandra Jane says it. It was their life.
Even then, i was still doubtful about the walk. But inside me i had high-hopes that people from SAn Miguel and those from Malacañang would hear them out.
When priests, seminaries, and other people from the religious sects made their way into helping the farmers when they reached the gray grounds of the Malacañang, i actually thought it was going to be one big controversy that's, again, gonna shake the whole listening---or eves dropping---- Philippines. Had in mind those issues bout church and government. I feared it was gonna slow down the move for the farmers' real intentions.Still the high-hopes in me remained. Now, higher-hopes.
But when Ms. President accepted the farmers and their co-"hikers" into the palace with warm welcome (or, should i say, warm finger-lickin'-good dinner and red wine in an elegant wine-glass (it could be Novelino), i was relieved. It could be a good sign. Yet, after the meeting, they had nothing but a full stomach and a heavy heart. The land still isn't theirs.
Now, i don't know what to say to this woman. Highest hopes. Maybe that's the word.

Pray...that they may be given what's right for them.